Page 20 of Tempting the Titan

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The following day, I’m in the office with Atlas. We've been flat-out working all day, and things are easy between us. It’s time to go home when Atlas looks at me expectantly.

“Great work today,” Atlas says with admiration.

“Thank you.” I beam. I'm not used to praise, and it feels good.

His broad smile shows a row of gleaming white teeth. “If I knew how easy pleasing you was, I would've done so weeks ago.”

I flick my hair dramatically over my shoulders. “I'm offended. Don’t you know I’m a high-maintenance woman? It takes a lot more than words to please me.”

Atlas grins and drops his gaze to the paper on his desk. His grin disappears, and he drums his fingers on the surface.

I frown. “What is it? Did I forget to do something?”

Atlas looks at me with a jumble of emotions swirling in his eyes. Something's bugging him. “It’s been a long day. Why don’t we wrap things up and grab a bite to eat?”

Frustration and anger burst my bubble of joy. I hate keeping secrets from him. In a small voice, I ask, “Raincheck? I’m sorry, Atlas, but I can’t. It’s—”

Nodding, he holds up his hand. His lips tighten into a thin line as the smile on his face slips a little. “Washing your hair. No problem. You have beautiful hair. I understand if it needs washing.”

My throat is dry as I search for an excuse because I can’t tell him I have a second job. “It isn't that. Ordinarily, I'd love to go, but—”

“Forget I mentioned it. I understand.” Atlas cuts me off. He looks crushed as he turns away.

“Atlas,” I say softly. “It's not what you're thinking. I'm not seeing anyone else. It's just something I've got to do. But I'd love to have dinner with you another night.”

A smile touches his lips as our eyes meet. My heart stutters when Atlas smiles. The atmosphere lightens, relieving the tension. It's like a ray of sunshine cutting through gloomy clouds on a rainy day. That Atlas lets me leave without a fight proves his faith in me. But this only makes me feel worse because I'm not being honest with him.

I'd give anything to be in a warm restaurant, just Atlas and me, laughing over good food. Instead, I’m facing my first shift at Sinful Sirens.

CHAPTER 9

Celeste

Atlas calls my name as I leave, and his deep voice sends a shiver up my spine. I pause and peer at him over my shoulder.

His eyes flit to mine. “Thank you … for everything.”

I was a competent woman before I met Atlas, but I wasn't content. I yearned for something but didn't know what it was until now.

When I left the circus, I was subconsciously searching for a simple, mundane existence. I'd experienced enough excitement and needed a steady, routine life with a white picket fence to be content. But that's not what’s happened.

Ordinary would be dull. And there’s nothing dull about the man staring at me with anticipation etched into every perfect feature of his angular face. His gaze locks with mine, and my breath hitches. My lungs expand so quickly, I’m afraid I’ll hyperventilate.

I strut toward him, unceremoniously tossing my belongings onto a nearby chair. I sweep the carefully arranged papers and files to one side of the desk, lean forward, and gracefully swing my leg over the end of the table. His eyes devour me as I crawl closer on all fours.

“What are you doing?”

“Making up for not going out to dinner—in very special ways.”

He shakes his head, amusement in his expression. “You don't need to apologize. And you don't need to do this to make up for anything.”

My heart beats faster with anticipation. I'm not just falling for Atlas—I'm addicted. It's a craving I can hardly explain, but one that desperately needs to be satisfied.

“Oh, but I want to,” I purr. “Because I need to.”

He clamps his hand behind my neck, bringing his lips crashing down on mine. They’re warm and soft in contrast with the ferocity of his kiss.

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